Contacting solids and gaseous fluids



-Aug. 19, 1947. c. E. `JAHNIG CONTACTING SOLIDS AND GASEOUS FLUIDS Filed Aug. 30, 1944 Charles E. Jahmlq Snvenbor I bqClbborneM Y Patented ng. v19, 1947 y coNTAc'riNG soLms AND GAsEoUs rLUms charles' E.r Jannie, nonne, N. 1. assignmto Standard (lll Development Company, a corporation of Delaware ,Application Anm; so, 19444, seria1No. 551,800 14' claims. (o1. isc-s2) This invention relates to contacting solid particles with gaseous fluids, and more particularly,

relates to stripping contact or catalyst particles in subdivided form with a stripping gas in a separate stripping'vessel wherein the solid particles are maintained in a dry fluidized dense liquidsimulating condition and the stripped solids are then Withdrawn in a dry fiuidized dense liquidsimulating condition.

In the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons, the catalyst or contact particles become contaminated with coke or carbonaceous deposits and the contaminated catalystor contact particles must be regenerated as byburning with air before being used in another conversion operation. In addition, there are hydrocarbon vapors and gases between the contaminated catalyst or contact par..

ticles and adsorbed on the adsorbent catalyst or v contactparticles which are preferably removed before regeneration. The amount of hydrocarbon vapors entrained between the contact particles is less when the catalyst or contact particles are re ping action reduces the amount of combustibleA material associated with the catalyst or contact particles which must be removed in' the regeneration zone.

Incomplete strippinghas lbeen obtained in the stripping of spent or contaminated catalyst or contact particles from catalytic conversion units of the type where the spent or contaminated catalyst particles are withdrawn in a relatively dense dry fluidized liquid-simulating condition from the bottom portion of the reaction zone.

According to my invention, better stripping is obtained with the bottom draw-oli` type of unit by withdrawing spent or contaminated catalyst or contact particles in a relatively dense dry fluidized liquid-simulating condition from the bottom portion of the reaction zone and introducing the withdrawn mixture into a separate stripping vessel or zone wherein the mixture is stripped with a stripping gas, and the hydrocarbon constituents removed by the stripping action are passed overhead to the upper portion of the reaction zone or other suitable place for the recovery of the hydrocarbon constituents.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 represents one form of apparatus which may be used for'carrying out my invention;

Fig, 2 represents a horizontal transverse crosssection taken substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 represents another form of separate stripping vessel which may be used instead of the separate stripping vessel shown in Fig, 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference character I0 designates a reaction vessel .into which hot regenerated catalyst .is introduced through line I2 leading into the bottom portion of the reaction vessel I0. Feed stock is introduced into the bottom portion of the vessel I0 through line" I4. The feed may comprise liquid hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon vapors or a mixture of liquid and vaporous hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon feed stock mayr be any suitable stock, such as crude hydrocarbon oil, reduced crude, gas oils, naphthas, etc.

When the hydrocarbons are used in liquid form, a sucient amount of hot regenerated catalyst or contact particles is introduced into the reaction y vessel I0 to vaporize the hydrocarbon feedstock and to raise it to conversion temperature. Preferably the hydrocarbon feed stock is passed from line I4 to distributing line I6 arranged in the bottom portion of the reaction vessel I0. The line I6 is provided with distributing nozzles or lines I8 for introducing the hydrocarbon feed stock at a plurality of points lin the bottom portion of the reaction zone III. The velocity .of the hydrocarbon vapors or gases passing upwardly through the reaction zone I0 is selected to maintain the catalyst or contact particles in a relatively dense dry fluidized liquid-simulating condition or mixture as shown at 22 with a level at 24.

When the hydrocarbon feed is introduced through lines I6 and I8, fluidizing gas, such as steam or other suitable inert gas, is introduced into the bottom portion of the reaction vessel I0 through lines 26 to maintain the particles in a iluidized condition in the funnel-shaped bottom 28 of the reaction vessel III. If desired, additional hydrocarbon feed may be introduced through lines 26 instead of the fluidizing gas, or the feed line I4 may be eliminated and all of the hydrocarbon feed introduced through lines 26.

The space 32 in the reaction vessel l0 above the level 24 contains vaporous reaction products or gaseous fluid containing only `a small amount of entrained catalyst or contact particles and is referred to as a dilute phase. The gases or vapors from the dilute phase 32 pass through a separating means 34 arranged in the upper part of the reaction vessel I0. The separating means 34 is shown as a cyclone separator but other forms of separating means may be'used as, for example, a Multiclone separator.

The separating means 34 functions to remove a large 'part of the entrained catalyst or contact particles from the gases or vapors passing from the dilute phase 32 and the separated Catalyst or contact particles are collected in the separating means and returned to the dense bed 22 below the level 24 by return or dip pipe 36. Dip leg 36 has a valve 3T and actuating means 38 extending outside the reaction vessel I8 whereby the valve 3l may be opened or closed. Preferably a plate 39 is arranged a. short distance below the bottom of the dip pipe 36 to prevent vapors from passing upwardly through the dip pipe 36.

In the drawing I have shown a shorter dip pipe 42 branching from the dip pipe 36 above the level 24. 'Ihe shorter dip leg 42 has a valve 44 and a controlling or actuating means 46 extending outside of the reaction vessel l whereby the valve 44 may be operated from the outside of the reaction vessel. When the level of fluidized solids 24 is being maintained at a relatively high level, the shorter dip pipe 42 may be used for returning solids recovered in separator 34. In this case valve 3l is closed and valve 44 is open. This arrangement is desirable in certain cases since the recovered catalyst is returned to a point of lower pressure than that existing near the bottom of the vessel I0. The vertical height of the dip legs is selected to provide the pressure necessary for returning the solids from separator 34.

When operating with a relatively low level of fluidized solids 24 in vessel Ill, valve 44 is closed and valve 31 opened so that solids from separator 34 are returned below the level 24.

While I have shown the level 24 at one position in the drawing, it is to be understood that the level may be changed, if desired, by controlling the amount of catalyst or contact particles withdrawn from the bottom of the reaction vessel l0. v

The vaporous or gaseous products leave the separating means 34 and the top of the reaction vessel I0 through line 48, and pass to any suitable equipment for separating desired constituents. For example, in the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons, the vaporous reaction products contain gasoline and higher boiling hydrocarbons and the vaporous reaction products are preferably passed to a fractionating tower for separating gasoline from the remaining hydrocarbons.

The bottom of the reaction vessel l0 is provided with a pot 54 having an upstanding collar 56 which extends above the funnel-shaped bottom 28. Fluidizing lines 58 are provided for introducing iiuidizing gas into the bottom of the pot. The iiuidizing gas is added to maintain the contaminated or spent catalyst or contact particles in a fluidized condition, and a suiioient amount of the gas may be added to eiect some stripping of entrained or adsorbedhydrocarbon vapors and gases. To improve stripping, horizontal or vertical 'bales may be used in pot 54.

During the conversion of hydrocarbons, coke or carbonaceous material is deposited on the catalyst particles and it is necessary to remove the coke or carbonaceous material in a regeneration step preferably by burning with air or other regenerating gas containing free oxygen. As aoove pointed out, the pot 54 is provided for withdrawing the spent or contaminated catalyst particles from the bottom of the reaction zone or vessel I0 in a dense uidized liquid-simulating condition. When the contaminated or spent catalyst or contact particles are withdrawn in this dense condition, they carry along with them hydrocarbon vapors and gases as entrained material and also as adsorbed material.

The spent or contaminated catalyst or contact particles are withdrawn from the lower portion of the pot 54 through inclined draw-off line 62 provided with a control valve 64. If desired, luidizing gas may be introduced into the line 62 for maintaining the particles in a iluidized and free-flowing .condition as they pass through the line 62. The line 62 is shown in the preferred form as an inclined tubular member but if desired, the line 62 may take a horizontal position.

The withdrawn contaminated particles are introduced into the bottom portion of a separate stripping vessel 66 provided with stripping gas inlet lines 68, 'l2 and 14 leading to dicrent sections of the stripping vessel 66. The stripping vessel 66 is subdivided into a plurality of stripping sections by vertical baffles or partitions '16, 7a3 and 82. These bailles or partitions extend across the width of the stripping vessel 66 which is shown in cylinder form. In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the partitions or baffles extend entirely across the width of the vessel 66.

kThe two outside baflles or partitions 'I6 and 82 extend upwardly from the bottom 83 of the stripping vessel 66 to a height below the level 84 of the dense fluidized liquid-simulating mixture undergoing stripping. The central baille or partition 18 extends from above the level 84 downwardly between the outer baliles or partitions 16 and 82 with the lower portion of the central baffle 18 being arranged some distance above the bottom 83 of the vessel 66. From the above it will be seen that the dense fluidized mixture undergoing stripping follows a path as shown by arrows in the stripping vessel 66.

The velocity of the stripping gas introduced through lines 68, 12 and 14 is selected to maintain a body 85 of a dense dry duidized liquid-simulating mixture of the catalyst or contact particles in the stripping vessel or zone 66. The dense mixture has a level indicated at 84 with a dilute phase 86 thereabove. 'Ihe stripipng gas together with vaporous or gaseous material stripped from the catalyst or contact particles passes overhead through line 88 and is preferably introduced into the upper portion of the reaction vessel IU into the dilute phase 32 so that any entrained particles will be separated in passing through the separating means 34 in the reaction vessel i8. The stripping gas may be steam or other gas, and may be introduced hot if desired.

The temperature during catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons may vary between about .800 F. and 1100 F. but different temperatures may be used for other catalytic conversions of hydrocarbons or other reactions.

By providing the baies in the separate stripping vessel 66, better stripping is obtained as each of the sections acts as a separate stripping section, and in addition, the catalyst or contact particles are maintained in a dry sense fluidized condition and in this way the necessary separation equipment is less than required where the catalyst or contact particles are carried in a dilute gaseous suspension.

- tion vessel |02.

|The stripped catalyst r contact particles are withdrawn from the stripping vessel 66 in a relatively dense dry rluidized liquid-simulating condition through line 92. As shown in the drawing,

the line 92 communicates with the bottom portionof the stripping section on the right-hand section formed by the partition or baille 82 and the adjacent wall of the stripping vessel 66. The withdrawal line 92 is provided with a control valve 94 for controlling the amount of stripped particles withdrawn from the stripping vessel 66.

As shown in the drawing, the line 92 is preferably inclined to facilitate flowing of the iluidized particles through line 92 but a horizontal line may be used if desired. By using horizontal lines here and at 62, the overall height of the unit is reduced. If desired, iluidizing or aerating gas may be introduced into line 92 to maintain the particles in fluidized condition. The stripped contaminated or spent catalyst or contact particles are then mixed with a regenerating gasl such as air, introduced into line 92 below valve 94 through line 96 to form a less dense mixture of catalyst particles and gaseous regenerating medium, and this less dense mixture is passed through line 98 into the bottom portion of a regeneration vessel or zone |02 provided with a distribution plate |04.

The distribution plate |04 acts to evenly distribute the particles and the gas across the area of the regeneration vessel |02. The mixture of spent particles and regenerating gas is introduced below the distribution plate |04. The velocity of the regenerating gas is selected to maintain the catalyst or contact particles undergoing regeneration as a dense dry fluidized liquid-simulating mixture 05 having a level at Hot lregenerated catalyst is withdrawn from the bed or mixture |05 through trough |08 arranged at one side o-f the regeneration vessel |02. From the trough- |08 the hot regenerated catalyst is introduced into a standpipe r| |2. 'I'he hot regenerated catalyst particles are maintained in a fluidized condition in the standpipe by the introduction of fluidizing gas introduced through lines I4, and the height of the standpipe is such that the iluidized particles inthe standpipe create or generate a hydrostatic pressure at the base of the standpipe which is sufficient to pass the particles through the rest of the system. The standpipe ||2 isy provided with a control valve ||6l at` its lower en d for controlling the amount of catalyst or contact particles intro'- duced into line l2 and then into reaction vessel |0.

Returning now to the regeneration vesselv |02, the regeneration gases in the upper part of the regeneration vessel |02, as at AI I8, contain only small amounts .of entrained particles vand this condition is referred to as a dilute phase. The regeneration gases with entrained catalyst or vother liquid to recover the entrained catalyst or contact particles.

In Fig. 3 I have shown another form of stripping vessel |32 which may be substituted for the stripping vessel 66 shown in Fig. 1. Stripping vessel |32 is provided with an inclined inlet pipe |34 which corresponds .to line 62 in Fig. 1 and an outlet line |36 which corresponds to line 92 in Fig. 1. Stripping gas is introduced through the bottom |31 of the stripping vessel |32 through lines |38 and |42 arranged on opposite sides of a partition or baille |44 arranged in the stripping vessel 32.

The baille or partition |44 extends upwardly from the bottom |31 to a level or height below the level |46 of the dense catalyst mixture |41 undergoing stripping in the stripping vessel |32. A dilute phase |48 exists above the level |46 of the dense particle mixture undergoing stripping in the lower portion of the stripping vessel |32. Stripping gas together with constituents stripped out of the spent or contaminated particles passes overhead through line |52 and may be separately recovered or may be returned to the upper portion of the reaction vessel as shown in Fig. 1 in connection with line 88. The arrow in Fig. 3 shows the path of the catalyst particles or contact particles undergoing stripping.

During regeneration, the temperature is preferably maintained between about 950 F. and 1200D F. For the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons, -any suitable cracking catalyst may be used, such as acid-treated bentonites, synthetic contact particles pass to the separating means |22 arranged in the upper part of the regenera- The separating means is shown as a cyclone separator in the drawing but other silica alumina gels, synthetic silica magnesia gels, etc. For other reactions or contacting steps or processes suitable contacting material is used.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons,v it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration only and'that my invention may be used with other processes and various changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invenion.

. What is claimed is:

1. In a method of contacting solid particles and a gaseous iluid in a contacting zone wherein the particles are maintained as' a dry dense liqquid-simulating mixture having a level with a dilute phase thereabove, the steps which comprise withdrawing contact particles as a dense liquidsimulating mixture from the bottom portion of said contacting zone, passing the withdrawn mixl ture to the bottom portion of a separate stripping contact particles from the bottom portion of said stripping zone and withdrawing stripping gas together with stripped-out constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone.

2. A method of contacting solid particles and gaseous uid which comprises introducing subdivided solid particles and gaseous fiuid into a contacting zone and maintaining the particles as a fluidized dense liquid-simulating mixture in said reaction zone, withdrawing dense fiuidized solid particle mixture from the lower portion of said contacting zone and passing it to the bottom of a separate stripping zone, introducing stripping gas into the lower portion of said stripping zone at a velocity selected to maintain the particles in a dense uidized liquid-simulating condition during stripping, removing stripped particles from the bottom portion of said stripping zone in a dense iiuidized condition and removing stripping gas and stripped-out constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the gaseous fluid contains only a small amount of entrained catalyst in the upper portion of said contacting zone and the stripping gas from the top of said stripping zone is returned to the upper part of said contacting zone above the dense mixture.

4. In a method of contacting solid subdivided particles and a gaseous fluid in a contacting zone wherein the particles are maintained as a dry dense liquid-simulating mixture having a level with a dilute phase thereabove, the steps which comprise passing the dry dense mixture to a first stripping zone to remove entrained gaseous fluid wherein the particles are maintained as a dense fluidized mixture, introducing stripping gas into the bottom portion of said rst stripping zone, then passing the dense fluidized mixture into the bottom/portion of a stripping zone separate from said contacting zone, introducing a stripping gas into said second stripping zone at such a velocity to maintain the particles as a dense uidized mixture therein, withdrawing dense uidized stripped contact particles from the bottom portion of said second mentioned stripping zone and separately withdrawing stripping gas together with stripped-out constituents from the upper portion of said second mentioned stripping zone.

5. A method of carrying out catalytic reactions which comprises introducing subdivided catalyst and gaseous fluid reactant into a reaction zone and maintaining the catalyst as a iluidized dense liquid-simulating mixture having a level in said reaction zone with a dilute phase thereabove, withdrawing dense iluidized catalyst mixture from the lower portion of said reaction zone and passing it to a separate stripping zone, introducing stripping gas into the lower portion of said stripping zone at a velocity selected to maintain the catalyst in a dense iluidized liquid-simulating condition during stripping, removing stripped catalyst from the bottom portion of said stripping zone in a dense fluidized condition and removing stripping gas and stripped-out constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone and returning them ldirectly to the dilute phase in said reaction zone.

6. A method according to claim 5v wherein the reaction products as a gaseous uid contain only a small amount of entrained catalyst in the dilute phase portion of said reaction zone and are passed through a separating means arranged in the upper portion of said reaction zone for separating entrained catalyst and returning the separated catalyst to the dense uidized mixture in said reaction zone and the stripping gas from the top of said stripping zone is returned to the upper part of said reaction 'zone for passage through said separating means.

7. In a, method of contacting solid particles and a gaseous fluid in a contacting zone wherein the particles are maintained as a dry dense liquidsimulating mixture having a level with a dilute phase thereabove, the improvement which comprises withdrawing contact particles as a dense liquid-simulating mixture from th'e bottom portion of Said contacting zone, passing the withdrawn dense mixture to the bottom portion of a separate stripping zone to remove entrained gaseous uid and wherein the particles are maintained as a dense uidized mixture, introducing stripping gas into the bottom portion of said stripping zone', passing the dense iiuidized mixture through a plurality of parallel sections in said stripping zone, withdrawing dense :tluidized stripped contact particles from the bottom portion of said stripping zone and withdrawing stripping gas together with stripped-out constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone.

8. In a method of contacting solid particles and a gaseous iiuid in a contacting zone wherein the particles are maintained as a dry dense liquid-simulating mixture, the improvement which comprises passing the dry dense mixture from the bottom portion of said contacting zone to the bottom portion of a separate stripping zone to remove entrained gaseous vfluid and wherein the particles are maintained as a dense uidized mixture, introducing stripping gas into the bottom portion of said stripping zone and withdrawing dense uidized stripped contact particles from the bottom portion of said stripping zone and withdrawing stripping gas together with strippedout constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone.

9. In a. method of contacting solid particles and a gaseous fluid in a contacting zone wherein the particles are maintained as a dry dense liquid-simulating mixture, the steps which comprise passing the dry dense mixture to a separate stripping zone formed with a. plurality of communicating parallel stripping sections wherein the particles are maintained as a dense dry iuidized mixture and wherein at least in one section the particles move generally in an upward direction, introducing stripping gas into the bottom portion of said stripping zone and withdrawing dense uidized stripped contact particles from the bottom portion of said stripping zone and withdrawing stripping gas together with strippedout constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone.

10. A method of catalytically cracking hydrocarbons which comprises introducing subdivided catalyst and hydrocarbon oil into a cracking zone and maintaining the catalystas a uidized dense liquid-simulating mixture in said cracking zone, withdrawing dense fluidized spent catalyst mixture as a confined stream from the lower portion of said cracking zone and passing it to the bottom portion of a separate stripping zone, introducing stripping gas into the lower portion of said stripping zone at a velocity selected to maintain the catalyst; in a dense iluidized liquid-simulating condition during stripping removing stripped catalyst from the bottom portion'of said stripping zone in a dense iiuidized condition, removing stripping gas and stripped-out hydrocarbon constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone and passing the stripped spent catalyst to a regeneration zone.

11. An apparatus of the character described including a vessel adapted to hold a dry fluidized nely divided solid, a separate vessel adapted for use as a stripping vessel, said separate vessel being provided with at least one vertical baille in the lower part thereof, a pipe connecting the bottom of said rst mentioned vessel and said separate vessel for passing uidized solid particles to said separate vessel on one side of said baille, means for introducing stripping gas into the bottom portion of said separate vessel on both sides of said baille for maintaining the particles in dense iluidized condition and for stripping the lparticles and means for withdrawing stripped nely divided solid from said separate vessel from the side opposite the pipe connection and from the other side of said baille.

12. In a method of contacting solid subdivided particles and a gaseous fluid in a contacting zone wherein the particles are maintained as a dry dense liquid-simulating mixture having a level with a dilute phase thereabove, the steps which comprise passing the dry dense mixture to a first stripping zone to remove entrained gaseous fluid wherein the particles are maintained as a dense fluidized mixture, introducing stripping gas into the bottom portion of said first stripping zone, then passing the dense iluidized mixture into a stripping zone separate from said contacting zone, introducing a stripping gas into said second stripping zone, withdrawing dense fiuidized stripped contact particles from the bottom portion of said second mentioned stripping zone and withdrawing stripping gas together with strippedout constituents from the upper portion of said second mentioned stripping zone, the stripping gas from said iirst stripping zone passing upwardly into the dense uidized mixture in said contacting zone and the stripping gas from said second mentioned stripping zone being passed directly to the upper part of said contacting zone above the dense iiuidized mixture therein.

13. A method of carrying out catalytic reactions which comprises introducing subdivided catalyst and gaseous iuid reactant into a reaction zone and maintaining the catalyst as a iluidized dense liquid-simulating mixture having a level in said reaction zone with a dilute phase thereabove. withdrawing dense iluidized catalyst `mixture from the bottom portion of said reaction zone and passing it to a separate stripping zone, introducing stripping gas into the lower portion of said stripping zone at a velocity selected to maintain the catalyst in a dense iluidized liquidsimulating condition during stripping, removing stripped catalyst from the bottom portion of said stripping zone in a dense fiuidized condition, passing vaporous reaction products containing only a small amount of entrained catalyst in said dilute phase through separating means arranged in the upper portion of 4said reaction zone for separating entrained catalyst and returning the separated catalyst to the dense fluidized mixture in said reaction zone, removing stripping gas and stripped-out constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone as a conilned stream out of contact with said dense catalyst mixture and then passing them through said separating means in said reaction zone to recover entrained catalyst therefrom.

14. A method of carrying out catalytic reactions which comprises introducing subdivided catalyst 4and gaseous fluid reactant into a reaction zone and maintaining the catalyst as a iluidized dense liquid-simulating mixture having a level in said reaction zone with a dilute phase thereabove, withdrawing dense iluidized catalyst mixture from the bottom portion of said reaction zone and passing it to a separate stripping zone, introducing stripping gas into the lower portion of said stripping zone at a velocity selected to maintain the catalyst in a dense fiuidized liquid-simulating condition during stripping, removing stripped catalyst from the bottom portion of said stripping zone in a dense iluidized condition, passing vaporous reaction products containing only a small amount of entrained catalyst in said dilute phase through separating means arranged in the upper portion ot said reaction zone for separating entrained catalyst and returning the separated catalyst to.

the dense iiuidized mixture in said reaction zone, removing stripping gas and stripped-out constituents from the upper portion of said stripping zone as a confined stream out of contactl with said dense catalyst mixture and combining the stripping gas and stripped-out constituents with the vaporous reaction products removed fro said dense catalyst mixture.

CHARLES E. JAHNIG.

nrfFEnENcEs CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number `Name v Date Re. 21,526 Odell Aug. 16, 1940 2,273,075 Weems Feb.17, 1942 2,304,128 Thomas Dec. 8; 1942 2,361,978 Swearingen Nov. 7, 1944 2,367,694 Snuggs Jan. 23, 1945 2,379,408 Arveson July 3, 1945 2,378,531 Becker June 19, 1945, 2,380,760 Hui! July 31, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Disclaimer 2,425,807.Oharles E. Jahm'g, Roselle, N. J. CONTACTING SOLIDS J@ND GAsEoUs FLUIDs. Patent dated Aug. 19, 1947. Disclaimer led May 10, 1950, by the assignee, Standard Oil Development Uompcmy. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 2 and 8 0f said patent.

[Oficial Gazette June 13, 1.950.] 

